default-cbs-image

We're living in a world where, three months into the season, the Panthers are the NFL's only unbeaten team; the Patriots fell from the ranks of the undefeated when the Broncos beat them in overtime on Sunday night, 30-24.

Any other year and subsequent conversations about this game would include something about how the wily veteran Peyton Manning outlasted his wily veteran counterpart Tom Brady. But we only saw Manning on the field before the game, and he was in a walking cast and civvies. It was Brock Osweiler and C.J. Anderson, with the help of the league's best defense, that led Denver to its biggest win of the season. We'll have to wait and see if it shifted the balance of power in the AFC.

1. It's fair to wonder if we've seen the last of Peyton. We were having this discussion last week too, after Osweiler looked comfortable in Gary Kubiak's offense during a road win over the Bears. The thinking was that if the fourth-year quarterback, who made his first NFL start in Chicago, could be replacement-level or slightly better, then not only would he give the Broncos the best chance to win, there was no reason to give Manning the job back.

Yes, Manning was diagnosed with a torn plantar fascia, and yes, that has something to do with his truly awful season to date. But he's also 39 and at some point, the Broncos have to prepare for life after Peyton. Osweiler looks very much to be that guy.

C.J. Anderson and Brock Osweiler helped the Broncos beat the Patriots. (USATSI)
C.J. Anderson and Brock Osweiler helped the Broncos beat the Patriots. (USATSI)

2. Osweiler wasn't lights out, but he doesn't need to be. Here's his line from the Patriots game: 23 of 42 for 270 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Efficient given the snowy conditions, but there were instances where you could say, "Yep, that's a mistake a young QB makes." But he also showed improvement from previous outings, and just as important -- at least when we compare him to Manning -- Osweiler has the athleticism and arm strength to run Kubiak's offense.

This big-boy touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter ...

... Was set up by a 39-yard Osweiler-to-Emmanuel Sanders bomb down the left sideline. Manning makes that throw with his eyes closed last season. No way he doesn't throw it 10 yards out of bounds -- and 15 yards short -- this season.

By the way, here's Tom Brady's line for the night: 23 of 42, 280 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs.

3. Don't forget about Denver's defense. It's easy to overlook this unit, especially with Demarcus Ware not playing and Sylvester Williams and T.J. Ward leaving early with injuries. The NFL's best unit (first against the pass, ninth against the run, according to Football Outsiders' metrics) looked sluggish early -- even after Aqib Talib said this week that the best way to slow Rob Gronkowski was to "triple-team him," the Broncos went coverage optional on the first series. That ended just like you'd expect it would:

There was this too:

But the Broncos' D made some adjustments and harassed Brady late, which was made easier by the fact that Scott Chandler was the Pats' best pass-catching option (more on that in a second).

So here's to you, Wade Phillips, the cuddliest defensive coordinator on the planet.

Also, this:

4. About all those injuries. The Patriots currently have 10 players on injured reserve, including OT Nate Solder, RB Dion Lewis, OL Ryan Wendell and WRAaron Dobson. Wideout Julian Edelman is sidelined until January with a broken foot, and Danny Amendola has a sprained knee. Then Gronkowski went down with what looked like a bad knee injury.

It's hard to imagine how anybody -- whether they answer to Tom Brady or not -- could run an offense without any legitimate playmakers, though some folks buy into the Belichick-Brady mystique (and for good reason, we know):

But even in the face of defeat, there is some encouraging news: early reports are that Gronk's injury isn't serious, at least by "your season is over" standards.

That's a silver lining -- as it the fact that the Pats' defense has been relatively healthy this season. And if Gronk, Amendola and Edelman are all around for the playoffs, it's hard not to expect the Patriots to do what they always do.

5. C.J. Anderson appears to be back. Anderson's resurgence coincides nicely with Osweiler taking over the starting job. It's no secret that Manning wasn't a perfect fit for Kubiak's scheme, at least not in the way Joe Flacco was last season when Kubiak was the Ravens' offensive coordinator, or Matt Schaub was with the Texans back when that offense featured a healthy mix of Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. Wherever the truth lies, Anderson had a huge game on Sunday, which included his 48-yard walk-off touchdown run in overtime.

6. Demaryius Thomas, however, appears to be lost. One of Manning's favorite targets, Thomas looked completely out of his element with Osweiler throwing him the ball. In fact, on the first 11 targets, Thomas didn't come close to catching any of them. On the 12th try, he hauled in a 36-yarder, and he finished with one catch for 36 yards on 13 targets.

7. Chandler Jones isn't human. It's sometimes easy to forget just how freakishly athletic these players are. Luckily, Jones provided a friendly reminder with this ridiculous interception.

8. About the officials starting the clock after a timeout ... On the Patriots' final drive of regulation, the clocked stopped after an injury timeout. Then, on the whistle, the clock started again, sending Twitter into a meltdown. Turns out, the officials were right even though we've become conditioned to expect the worst.

Those seconds didn't matter. Brady completed a pass in Broncos territory, the Pats' receiver got out of bounds to stop the clock, and Stephen Gostkowski calmly striped a 47-yarder in the snow to send the game to overtime.

9. Home cookin?

Make of this what you will but we're not blaming the refs. Was Gronk's offensive pass interference questionable. Yeah, without a doubt. But there are any number of plays you could point to -- for both sides -- that could be called and weren't. It happens every week. That's not why the Patriots lost. And even Brady, despite constantly yelling at the officials, would probably  tell you the same.

10. What it all means. Actually, not much. The Pats remain the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the Bengals are No. 2. The Broncos are third, followed by the Colts, Chiefs and Texans. And it's those spots -- fourth through sixth -- that will be worth watching in the coming weeks. In addition to the Colts, Chiefs and Texans, the Jets and Steelers are also 6-5.

(CBSSports.com)
 (CBSSports.com)